Alabama Music Hall of Fame names new director; more Alabama news

View full sizeThe Alabama Music Hall of Fame, a Shoals-based organization set up by owners, producers, musicians, songwriters and other music professionals to honor the state's greatest musical legends. On Thursday, June 30, 2011, the hall named a new director.

TUSCUMBIA, Alabama -- Wiley Barnard, a 58-year-old Alabama native and University of North Alabama graduate, has agreed to become the next executive director of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, the TimesDaily newspaper reports.

Barnard, a Guntervsille native who lives in Hendersonville, Tennessee, was hired Thursday after a unanimous vote by hall of fame board members. He will take over from Interim Executive Director Hank Adam Locklin on Aug. 1, according to the TimesDaily.

Opened in 1990, the Hall of Fame honors Alabama's greatest musicians.

In other news across Alabama:

Sam 'Shoeshine Man' Perkins dies: Funeral services are being held today for Sam “The Shoeshine Man” Perkins, the 65-year-old downtown Florence fixture who died Saturday of a heart attack at his residence in west Florence, the TimesDaily newspaper reports. Perkins retired from the sanitation department and walked nearly every day to the Smokehouse grill, where he set up shop, the newspaper reports.

Oakman City Council votes against firing city attorney: The Oakman City Council on Thursday night voted against firing City Attorney Charles Tatum, the Daily Mountain Eagle reports. Although Mayor Joyce Todd recently sent a letter terminating Tatum, a motion to not affirm Tatum’s termination passed with a 5-1 vote.

Hanceville gets good financial review: The city of Hanceville lost some sales tax revenue, but not as much as anticipated, and expansion of its parks and recreation programs helped generate more revenue, helping lead to a favorable financial practices review for fiscal year 2010, the Cullman Times reports.

Lightning confirmed as cause of Avondale Mills fire: Fire officials have confirmed lightning as the cause of the June 22 Avondale Mills blaze in Sylacauga, the Daily Home of Talladega reports. Lt. Adam Gardner and Fire Inspector Joe Hassell told the Daily Home that multiple witnesses reported seeing lightning strike the Eva Jane building immediately before the fire.